RebeccaBlackOS is a Debian-based live distribution which can be used to run Wayland desktop sessions. RebeccaBlackOS can run a number of popular open source desktop environments on top of a Wayland graphical session. The distribution was (and remains) one of the only Linux distributions to run a Wayland session from live media. The distribution is available in 32-bit and 64-bit builds for the x86 architecture.

Canonical has announced the release of a new version of its popular Ubuntu operating system. The latest version, Ubuntu 16.10, offers users many updated packages, a preview session of the Unity 8 desktop environment and version 4.8 of the Linux kernel. The distribution also features LibreOffice 5.2 and the update manager application now shows changelogs from enabled personal package archives (PPAs). "Network performance is a primary focus of this release, with updated versions of Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK), OpenVSwitch (OVS) and virtualization technologies, all able to handle critical application traffic for lower latency and greater throughput. Ubuntu 16.10 and the corresponding updates to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS further enhance Ubuntu’s position as the leading private cloud infrastructure operating system, with OpenStack Newton, DPDK, enhanced OpenVSwitch and LXD machine containers alongside regular KVM based VM guests. Ubuntu 16.10 previews Canonical’s device convergence vision." Further information can be found in the distribution's release announcement and release notes. Download (pkglist): ubuntu-16.10-desktop-amd64.iso (1,520MB, SHA256, signature, torrent), ubuntu-16.10-server-amd64.iso (668MB, SHA256, signature, torrent).

Ubuntu is a complete desktop Linux operating system, freely available with both community and professional support. The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Ubuntu Manifesto: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customise and alter their software in whatever way they see fit. "Ubuntu" is an ancient African word, meaning "humanity to others". The Ubuntu distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world.

Adam Conrad has announced the release of Ubuntu 18.10, a version which will receive nine months of security updates and support. The project's new version ships with several key package updates: "The Ubuntu kernel has been updated to the 4.18-based Linux kernel, our default toolchain has moved to GCC 8.2 with glibc 2.28 and we've also updated to OpenSSL 1.1.1 and GnuTLS 3.6.4 with TLS 1.3 support. Ubuntu Desktop 18.10 brings a fresh look with the community-driven Yaru theme replacing our long-serving Ambiance and Radiance themes. We are shipping the latest GNOME 3.30, Firefox 63, LibreOffice 6.1.2 and many others. Ubuntu Server 18.10 includes the Rocky release of OpenStack, including the clustering enabled LXD 3.0, new network configuration via netplan.io and iteration on the next-generation fast server installer. Ubuntu Server brings major updates to industry-standard packages available on private clouds, public clouds, containers or bare metal in your data centre." Further details can be found in the release announcement and in the release notes. Download (pkglist): ubuntu-18.10-desktop-amd64.iso (1,906MB, SHA256, signature, torrent), ubuntu-18.10-live-server-amd64.iso (881MB, SHA256, signature, torrent).

Adam Conrad has announced the availability of Ubuntu 18.04 "Bionic Beaver". The new version is a long term support (LTS) release featuring the GNOME Shell desktop and version 4.15 of the Linux kernel. "The Ubuntu team is very pleased to announce our seventh long-term support release, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS for Desktop, Server, Cloud, and Core. Codenamed "Bionic Beaver", 18.04 LTS continues Ubuntu's proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution. The team has been hard at work through this cycle, introducing new features and fixing bugs. The Ubuntu kernel has been updated to the 4.15 based Linux kernel, with additional support for Linux security module stacking, signing of POWER host and NV kernels, and improved support for IBM and Intel hardware enablement from Linux 4.16. Ubuntu Desktop 18.04 LTS brings a fresh look with the GNOME desktop environment. GNOME Shell on Ubuntu is designed to be easy to use for people upgrading from 16.04 LTS and presents a familiar user interface. New features for users upgrading from 16.04 LTS include assistance with logging in to public Wifi hotspots and the Night Light feature to reduce eye strain in the evenings." Further details can be found in the release announcement and in the release notes. Download (pkglist): ubuntu-18.04-desktop-amd64.iso (1,832MB, SHA256, signature, torrent), ubuntu-18.04-live-server-amd64.iso (806MB, SHA256, signature, torrent).

Adam Conrad has announced the availability of a new version of the popular Ubuntu distribution. Ubuntu 17.10, which carries the code name "Artful Aardvark" switches the default desktop from Unity to GNOME. "Code-named 'Artful Aardvark', Ubuntu 17.10 continues Ubuntu's proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technology into a high-quality, easy-to-use Linux distribution. As always, the team has been hard at work through this cycle, introducing new features and fixing bugs. Under the hood, there have been updates to many core packages, including a new 4.13-based kernel, glibc 2.26, gcc 7.2, and much more. Ubuntu Desktop has had a major overhaul, with the switch from Unity as our default desktop to GNOME3 and GNOME Shell. Along with that, there are the usual incremental improvements, with newer versions of GTK and Qt, and updates to major packages like Firefox and LibreOffice." Additional information can be found in the release announcement and in the release notes. Download (pkglist): ubuntu-17.10-desktop-amd64.iso (1,431MB, SHA256, signature, torrent), ubuntu-17.10-server-amd64.iso (745MB, SHA256, signature, torrent).